Some are strange and mysterious, others are adorable, perhaps festive, and some might appear ugly and spooky. I'm not talking about the trick-or-treaters that will soon descended upon your neighborhoods. No, I'm referring to another important staple of autumn: organic winter squash.

Winter squash are so called because they are harvested in the fall and store quite well (into the winter), unlike summer squash, which are ripe in the summer and don't store well for long periods of time. The variety of winter squash is rivaled only by the number of ways to prepare these tasty fall treats.

Most people concentrate on the flesh of the winter squash, as the flesh is tender, sweet, and easy to prepare, but the seeds and many of the skins are edible too! Try roasting a variety of squash seeds with olive oil and salt, and try pureeing and adding the skins of acorn, butternut, or delicata to a recipe, or make chips by baking them until dry and crispy. We have an amazing variety of local organic winter squash available at Farm Fresh Market all season-but our best selection and prices are right now!

Acorn squash is one of the most popular and widely distributed. Shaped like, well, an acorn, this squash is dark green and ridged. It is relatively easy to cut and prepare, is very versatile, and is jam-packed with nutrients. These fall wonders are great for roasting, baking, steaming, mashing, and sautéing. 

Butternut is another common winter squash. This beige elongated pear-shape squash is great for pureeing and mashing as it isn't at all stringy. One cup of butternut squash has over 400% of the daily value of vitamin A and 50% of the daily value of vitamin C. Try out the butternut squash chili at the end of the newsletter for 
a unique spin on butternut. 

The red kuri is a japanese variety. It is a delightful seasonal treat. It resembles a small, smooth, red-orange pumpkin. The red kuri is great for stuffing, adding to stir-fries and soups, and baking into muffins and breads. Red kuri is a good source of vitamins A and C, potassium, and iron.

This covers only a few of the options now at Farm Fresh Market. Get inspired by the fall season and try cooking up some of these interesting winter squash varieties. Feel free to ask us which squash is which, how to pick one out, and tips on preparing it. Enjoy hearty, nutrient-rich winter squash while it's at its prime!